My three favorites would be.... (In no specific order)1. LOTR (or really any J.R.R Tolkien in the medieval category: The Hobbit, the Silmarillion, etc.)2. Ranger's Apprentice- Great if somewhat under publicized books about a boy who is taken in as a trainee ranger, taking on a role similar to that of the Dunedain.3. Chronicles of Narnia. Great books, and definitely classics.

If I were to make something out of LEGOs, I would probably use LEGOs. Pretty advanced stuff going on up in my head.

I would say that LOTR is a fantasy castle book. There are castles of sorts in it: evil fortresses, ruins, citadels, throne rooms and the like. And I've noticed that Classic-Castle definitely has a place for castles of the fantasy kind. I do think it is a very good question though: what makes something "castle-y"? But I'm sure this discussion has been had elsewhere in this fine forum.

You're right Katie, it has. Or at least it's been started and I know this because I keep trying to bring it up. I should stop trying to pigeon-hole only LOTR as my subject though because I really do mean all it's offspring too. It's too bad that my style of asking the question usually turns it into some kind of fight but I wish I could find one of those other topics.

Trevor

Trust me, I think I'm funnier than you do.Why do I have to add the word "minifig" to my spell checker every time I use it?!

Ye Olde Republic wrote:You're right Katie, it has. Or at least it's been started and I know this because I keep trying to bring it up. I should stop trying to pigeon-hole only LOTR as my subject though because I really do mean all it's offspring too. It's too bad that my style of asking the question usually turns it into some kind of fight but I wish I could find one of those other topics.

I seem to recall reading an essay or something in an intro to Tolkien's works that one of the motivating factors behind his development of LOTR and related works was his view that Britain actually lacked a cohesive mythology native to the land. (But it was so long ago when I read it I may totally be misremembering things.) I'd posit the idea that LOTR -- and fantasy in general -- is a reflection of the more historical body of literature you allude to. I also think it's hard to make distinctions between genres which are any more precise than big fuzzy grey areas. I mean, where would Beowulf and the Arthurian tales fit into the scheme? Also, when you get down to it, I suspect that most historians are only spinning their own brand of fantasy.

Ye Olde Republic wrote:You're right Katie, it has. Or at least it's been started and I know this because I keep trying to bring it up. I should stop trying to pigeon-hole only LOTR as my subject though because I really do mean all it's offspring too. It's too bad that my style of asking the question usually turns it into some kind of fight but I wish I could find one of those other topics.

I seem to recall reading an essay or something in an intro to Tolkien's works that one of the motivating factors behind his development of LOTR and related works was his view that Britain actually lacked a cohesive mythology native to the land. (But it was so long ago when I read it I may totally be misremembering things.) I'd posit the idea that LOTR -- and fantasy in general -- is a reflection of the more historical body of literature you allude to. I also think it's hard to make distinctions between genres which are any more precise than big fuzzy grey areas. I mean, where would Beowulf and the Arthurian tales fit into the scheme? Also, when you get down to it, I suspect that most historians are only spinning their own brand of fantasy.

I was thinking of posting the exact same thing earlier, but yours is worded a lot better. I also forget where I read it, but you're definitely not misremembering.

Have I not said? I know I posted in the 'favorite movie' thread and thought I had here as well. I don't really read all these fantasy books and authors that so many of you have already mentioned, at least recently and by recent I mean the last ten years or so. To be honest, I don't read many books at all any more as I tend to fall right to sleep after a couple of pages because I can usually only read when I go to bed; the boys wouldn't allow me the concentration if they were awake .I know that I've read many books about Robin Hood and King Arthur etc. when I was younger but darned if I can remember a title. My mom had a cool book about the Robin Hood stories and they were told in prose as if they were written first hand by a minstrel.The last 'castle book' I really remember reading was a time travel book written by Micheal Crichton called Timeline. The book is excellent, as most of Chricton's are, but the movie adaptation, while a somewhat fun watch is lacking a lot.

Trevor

Trust me, I think I'm funnier than you do.Why do I have to add the word "minifig" to my spell checker every time I use it?!

Ye Olde Republic wrote:The last 'castle book' I really remember reading was a time travel book written by Micheal Crichton called Timeline. The book is excellent, as most of Chricton's are, but the movie adaptation, while a somewhat fun watch is lacking a lot.

Funny, I had a hard time visualizing the story until I saw the movie. Then it made more sense. I didn't have a problem with his previous books, I don't know why this one worked out like that. Nice story, though.

When I read LOTR only the "Yellow" Castle was available. Thinking of Barad-dur, Citidel of Gondor, Helm's Deep, Dol Guldur, Angband, to name a few always inspired me to try and build something in microscale. I think LOTR should be called a "Castle" book just for the inspiration to build. Other books were more informative as to the definitions of an actual "castle", i.e, merlons, dungeons, etc. These books were also very inspiring as well but, alas, I can't remember the names.-Tower

A friend lent me the first book a few years ago and I'm yet to read it. Early this year I only just finished another book another friends lent me. It's called Dawnthief and is book 1 of 4 in the Chronicles of the Raven written by James Barclay. I really enjoyed it so bought all four plus another four from The Legends of the Raven.

Still want to read The Hobbit and LorR. Also want to read the Canterbury Tales. One day...

It's not a book but does anyone remember a cartoon series about a young King Arthur and Merlin or possibly Prince Valiant? I'm trying to work out what it's called and see if it's still floating around somewhere. I watched it as a kid which was about 20 years ago